Am 04.02.11 17:33 schrieb Felix Stalder:
> The similarities belie all talk about the 'facebook/twitter
> revolution'. It's a true popular uprising, intelligent, peaceful,
> using whatever is available to channel its own energies. Sure, the
> means of communication are important. But, in the end, they are
> secondary to the will to communicate.
I am not quite sure whether you are right here, Felix. In a talk on BBC
News tonight Egyptian society is described as being devided between the
"world of the camel" and the "world of the internet", 12th vs. 21st century.
There is very little original reporting that got through to us from
Egyptian sources.
What's for sure is that the cultural treasures of the country are being
threatened by looters. Confer this report by an Egyptian librarian on
what has happened to the library of Alexandria opened in 2002, re-posted
to InetBib mailing list yesterday:
http://www.ub.uni-dortmund.de/listen/inetbib/msg44031.html
| Dear All,
|
| This is just a brief message to let you know that the Library is
| safe. In case you had not seen it, below is a statement by Dr.
| Serageldin that has been posted on our webiste. It still represents
| the current situation, except that the President and the PM have made
| reasonable statements, but they have come late. Let's hope that it is
| the beginning of a resolution. In addition to the statement, we
| posted pictures and a video of the youth of Alexandria defending the
| Library against vandalism and looting <http://www.bibalex.org|.
| Please see it and please bring it to the attention of other people.
|
|
| Here is the statement:
|
| To our friends around the world: The Events in Egypt
|
| The world has witnessed an unprecedented popular action in the
| streets of Egypt. Led by Egypt's youth, with their justified demands
| for more freedom, more democracy, lower prices for necessities and
| more employment opportunities. These youths demanded immediate and
| far-reaching changes. This was met by violent conflicts with the
| police, who were routed. The army was called in and was welcomed by
| the demonstrators, but initially their presence was more symbolic
| than active. Events deteriorated as lawless bands of thugs, and
| maybe agents provocateurs, appeared and looting began. The young
| people organized themselves into groups that directed traffic,
| protected neighborhoods and guarded public buildings of value such as
| the Egyptian Museum and the Library of Alexandria. They are
| collaborating with the army. This makeshift arrangement is in place
| until full public order returns.
|
| The library is safe thanks to Egypt's youth, whether they be the
| staff of the Library or the representatives of the demonstrators, who
| are joining us in guarding the building from potential vandals and
| looters. I am there daily within the bounds of the curfew hours.
| However, the Library will be closed to the public for the next few
| days until the curfew is lifted and events unfold towards an end to
| the lawlessness and a move towards the resolution of the political
| issues that triggered the demonstrations.
Regards,
Jürgen.
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